priority

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noun pri·or·i·ty \ prī-ˈȯr-ə-tē , -ˈär- \

Definition of priority

plural priorities

1 a (1) :the quality or state of being prior

(2) :precedence in date or position of publication —used of taxa

b (1) :superiority in rank, position, or privilege

(2) :legal precedence in exercise of rights over the same subject matter

2 :a preferential rating; especially :one that allocates rights to goods and services usually in limited supply

that project has top priority

3 :something given or meriting attention before competing alternatives

See priority defined for English-language learners

See priority defined for kids

Examples of priority in a Sentence

Reorganizing the sales force will be a top priority for the new president.
Getting the work done on time is a priority for me.
She decided to go to the party instead of studying? Where are her priorities?
I know you want to buy a new stereo, but right now, saving for college has to take priority.

Recent Examples of priority from the Web

All those anti-discrimination laws and equal-access programs now at risk birthed a generation of women whose sense of self and priorities are radically different from any before.

— sherri daye scott, chicagotribune.com, "Girl power has lifted up women but failed men," 29 Aug. 2017
Conclusion This effort should be the Administration’s highest diplomatic priority, commanding all necessary time, attention, and resources.

— john r. bolton, National Review, "How to Get Out of the Iran Nuclear Deal," 28 Aug. 2017
In Congress, Manchin has voted in support of the president’s priorities more often than any other Senate Democrat.

— clare foran, The Atlantic, "What Joe Manchin Can Teach Democrats," 26 Aug. 2017
The third huge problem For some in the GOP, increasing spending on conservative priorities is more important than reducing funding for liberal ones.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "The Republican Budget Fight, Explained in 5 Minutes," 24 Aug. 2017
The memo lists five priority areas (in this order): military superiority, security, prosperity, energy dominance, and health.

— jeffrey mervis, Science | AAAS, "Trump offers his first list of science priorities, and it’s America first," 17 Aug. 2017
This can be as simple as whether or not broccoli is a priority or can involve touchier subjects, like religion.

— Redbook, "Why "Stepmother" Shouldn't Be a Dirty Word," 16 Aug. 2017
Tickets: Start at $40/person ($115 for priority access) when purchased online.

— lisa beebe, Los Angeles Magazine, "It’s August, Which Means Tickets to L.A.’s Biggest Halloween Haunts Are Now on Sale," 16 Aug. 2017
The number one priority in all of this is the final season of Game of Thrones.

— kayleigh roberts, Marie Claire, "What Will the 'Game of Thrones' Spin-Off Be About?," 16 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'priority.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of priority

14th century

priority Synonyms

Synonyms

precedence, right-of-way

Related Words

preference; urgency; ascendancy (also ascendency), preeminence, primacy, supremacy; transcendence, transcendency; order, progression, sequence, succession; front burner

Near Antonyms

back burner

PRIORITY Defined for English Language Learners

priority

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noun

Definition of priority for English Language Learners

: something that is more important than other things and that needs to be done or dealt with first
priorities : the things that someone cares about and thinks are important
: the condition of being more important than something or someone else and therefore coming or being dealt with first

PRIORITY Defined for Kids

priority

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noun pri·or·i·ty \ prī-ˈȯr-ə-tē \

Definition of priority for Students

plural priorities

:a condition of being more important than other things

Law Dictionary

priority

play

noun pri·or·i·ty \ prī-ˈȯr-ə-tē \

legal Definition of priority

plural priorities

:precedence in exercise of rights in the same subject matter

secured interests have priority over unsecured ones

priority

adjective

legal Definition of priority

1 :having precedence over another in the exercise of rights in the same subject matter

a priority creditor

a priority claim

2 :of or relating to priority

a priority contest

Learn More about priority

See words that rhyme with priority Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for priority Spanish Central: Translation of priority Nglish: Translation of priority for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of priority for Arabic speakers

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priority

Definition of priority

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Examples of priority in a Sentence

Recent Examples of priority from the Web

First Known Use of priority

priority Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Phrases Related to PRIORITY

Related Phrases

PRIORITY Defined for English Language Learners

priority

Definition of priority for English Language Learners

PRIORITY Defined for Kids

priority

Definition of priority for Students

Law Dictionary

priority

legal Definition of priority

priority

legal Definition of priority

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